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through a variety of programs: AMR specific CME courses for clinicians, making educational materials available to patients in clinical settings and via social media, sponsoring community-oriented educational fundraising events, and working with a wide range of government agencies to take immediate action in the promotion of antibiotic stewardship.
for infections by collaborating with other foundations and communities worldwide and offering assistance with the utilization of NGS diagnostic for accurate diagnosis and providing accurate treatment options.
for healthcare facilities that will combat pathogens colonizing on surfaces and in medical equipment, helping to eliminate the chance of further infections.
by using multiple phage therapy DNA libraries in conjunction with a NGS curated database in order to identify and match specific phages with specific bacteria, eliminating the need for ambiguous phage cocktails. Also, introduce this protocol to the FDA and healthcare system to provide an alternate solution to antibiotics due to the increase of AMR. (Focusing first on the WHO Bacterial Priority Pathogens list, 2024.)
necessary for FDA approval to further advance open usage of phage therapy and implementation in our healthcare system.
Bacteria Without Borders is dedicated to raising global awareness of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) with an emphasis on bacterial antibiotic resistance. Our mission is to educate the public and healthcare professionals about AMR, its causes, and strategies for reduction and elimination.
We will achieve this through a variety of initiatives:
Our vision is to save the world one infection at a time, promoting antibiotic stewardship and responsible treatment practices among all people. We aim to stop antibiotic resistance from becoming the #1 cause of death worldwide by implementing innovative molecular diagnostics and advancing alternative therapies and treatments.
Our mission serves all people, focusing on those affected by infections, partnering with medical and technological experts, and engaging investors to support our cause. Together, we strive to create a world where AMR is significantly reduced by making accurate treatments accessible to all.
Tara Hicks graduated from the University of Georgia, Terry College of Business, in 2004 with a Bachelor of Business Administration. Her strong interest in healthcare, medicine, and business led her to a position in pharmaceutical sales, where she gained extensive knowledge in pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics. For over seven years, Tara excelled in this field, particularly in selling topical prescriptions known for their efficacy and minimal side effects. This passion for topicals guided her to become a Pharmacy Educator at one of the nation’s top specialty compounding pharmacies, where she spent nearly eight years educating clinicians on various topical compounded prescriptions. She saw firsthand the remarkable healing effects of topical anti-infectives for chronic, life-threatening wounds, especially when paired with an advanced diagnostic called Next Generation DNA Sequencing (NGS).
Recognizing the precision and effectiveness of combining NGS with compounded topical treatments, Tara joined MicroGen DX as an Account Executive to further this mission. For the past four years, she has educated clinicians across multiple specialties about the benefits of NGS. Despite facing challenges in implementing an innovative diagnostic, Tara has helped many patients receive the correct treatment, significantly improving their health outcomes. Her personal experiences, including saving her father-in-law’s life with NGS, have driven her to empower others with this knowledge.
Tara’s vision for Bacteria Without Borders, Inc., inspired by divine guidance, aims to raise public awareness and significantly reduce antibiotic resistance worldwide. She is joined by her husband, Aaron, on this mission. Together, they are committed to making this the most impactful foundation established for combating AMR.
With a background primarily in the construction trades, Aaron completed his apprenticeship in the electrical industry in 2001. Moving through various positions, Aaron enjoyed everything from teaching to project management. In 2009, Aaron obtained his Georgia State Electrical Contractors license and pursued his dream of entrepreneurship by starting Alliance Electric, Inc. Starting this business from the ground up was challenging but rewarding. His company worked on a variety of large commercial projects. He enjoyed working closely with his employees by educating them and contributing to their overall professional growth. The large commercial projects also provided Aaron the opportunity to collaborate with leaders of multiple trades and to formulate solid plans of action resulting in numerous successful projects.
In 2017, Aaron met Tara, and there was no doubt they were meant to be together. They married in 2018. Throughout their marriage, Aaron has witnessed the positive impact Tara’s work has provided to others. He saw how the implementation of advanced medical technologies has changed lives for the better for many patients, including his family and friends.
Aaron has developed a passion and strong interest in advancements in healthcare, especially after experiencing a severe infection himself. Misdiagnosed and treated with the wrong antibiotic, Aaron suffered serious complications, underscoring the importance of accurate diagnostics. When Tara shared her vision of starting a nonprofit foundation to educate, raise awareness, and save lives one infection at a time, Aaron was 100% in. This is when Bacteria Without Borders was born. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global pandemic on the rise. Aaron shares a heightened sense of urgency and passion with Tara to reduce the deaths associated with AMR, so it does not become the #1 cause of death in the near future.
“Our current healthcare situation is failing to address antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which are needlessly killing our society. We must implement a plan of action that can reverse this current course of global catastrophe. All the technological advances are currently here to save many lives; the pieces must be put together!” -Aaron Hicks
Sharon is proud to be the Treasurer of Bacteria Without Borders. She has over forty years of experience working in a variety of business positions, including banking, insurance, bookkeeping, and tax preparation as an Enrolled Agent. She has been active in her church, serving as treasurer for two years, and helps her local community by preparing meals for shut-ins and sponsoring foster children and children whose parents are incarcerated by adopting individuals at Christmas to provide gifts. She has also assisted the Red Cross with blood drives and Operation Christmas Child shoebox packing and collecting for many years.
Sharon is a member of the Jefferson Women’s Club in Georgia, which has been a service-oriented organization for over 100 years. This club supports a wide range of nonprofits when help is requested. They also actively support the local Cancer Foundation serving northeast Georgia to help alleviate the financial burden of cancer treatment for eligible families.
Sharon is very passionate about serving others in the community. She is aware of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) and its devastating effects on our healthcare system today. Having had family members and friends directly affected by AMR, Sharon knows the challenges it brings. She is devoted to making an impact in this area, hoping to save many lives and future generations.
Emmanuelle Houjib, PA-C has close to 20 years of clinical experience across multiple specialties. She is fluent in English, French, Spanish, and Creole, and has traveled to many countries around the world.
Emmanuelle is passionate about helping others by educating them and assisting them with making better decisions for their health. She believes in making clinical decisions, that are evidence based, that target the areas of concern without negatively impacting a person’s overall health. Emmanuelle takes all factors into consideration when identifying the right treatment plan for her patients, this helps her to make the best decision possible by truly offering patient-focused care.
Emmanuelle has also worked closely with other non-profits over the years. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to Bacteria Without Borders. She believes in the foundation’s mission of raising awareness of AMR and the strategies that will reduce antibiotic resistance across the world. She plans to make a big impact by supporting and helping others with this mission.
Dr. Nicholas Sanford, PhD, BCMAS, is a dedicated and innovative leader in the field of molecular biology and diagnostics. With a passion for improving healthcare outcomes, Dr. Sanford has been at the forefront of combating antimicrobial resistance by enhancing patient care through advanced microbial diagnostic technologies since 2015.
Currently serving as the Vice President of Medical Affairs at MicroGenDX, Dr. Sanford has overseen significant advancements in the application of next-generation sequencing (NGS) and quantitative PCR (qPCR) for the identification and analysis of pathogenic microbes. His work has contributed to the development of cutting-edge diagnostic tools that provide critical insights for clinicians across various specialties, including infectious diseases, urology, and orthopedics.
Dr. Sanford’s commitment to patient-first healthcare and his extensive experience in molecular diagnostics make him an invaluable asset to the healthcare community. As he joins Bacteria Without Borders as a board member, he brings his expertise and vision to a company devoted to advancing phage therapy and building clinical evidence to combat bacterial infections and antibiotic resistance.
Dr. Sanford continues to push the boundaries of diagnostic science, striving to deliver impactful and reliable diagnostic solutions that improve clinical outcomes and enhance the quality of patient care.
Dr. James Ian McMillen, MD, FIDSA, is a multi-award-winning board-certified Infectious Disease Specialist in Atlanta, GA. He is the President and CEO at Atlanta Clinical Care, P.C. where he has been practicing for over 20 years. Dr. McMillen is the Vice Chief of Staff at Emory St. Joseph’s Hospital and previously served as Chair of the Pharmacy and Therapeutic Committee for almost 10 years. He served as the Antibiotic Subcommittee Chairman and consults at Northside Hospital Atlanta.
Dr. McMillen experiences the real challenges of AMR firsthand on a daily basis while treating patients in his office and in the hospital setting. He understands the importance of implementing advanced diagnostics to identify the exact pathogens causing infections. He believes that detecting the true cause of an infection is critical when selecting the right antibiotic treatment for his patients.
Dr. McMillen is leading the way in antibiotic stewardship among his peers by executing fundamental strategies to help ensure that antibiotics are prescribed correctly and used appropriately to minimize the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. He is dedicated to combating AMR and to assisting others on this lifesaving mission however he can.
Dr. McMillen is well respected in his community for his service. He is proud to join Bacteria Without Borders as a board member to contribute to “saving the world one infection at a time”. His medical expertise and vast clinical knowledge bring tremendous value to this nonprofit foundation and will help to make a big impact across the world.
